It was thirty years ago today that millions flocked to the movie theater to see the latest, greatest film from Steven Spielberg, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It quickly became a blockbuster, surpassing Star Wars to become the highest-grossing film of all time, a record it held for ten years. Critics acclaimed it as a timeless story of friendship, and it ranks as the greatest science fiction film ever made in a Rotten Tomatoes survey. Was it the best movie from the 1980's?

I know, asking you to pick a favorite movie from the 80's could be like me asking you to pick a favorite kid, it's hard. Most people can tell you that they have one though. Actually, if I put together my top ten list there are only two or three of my favorites on the list of highest grossing movies from the era...

  1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), $435 million
  2. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), $309 million
  3. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), $290 million
  4. Batman (1989), $251 million
  5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), $245 million
  6. Ghostbusters (1984), $238 million
  7. Beverly Hills Cop (1984), $234 million
  8. Back to the Future (1985), $210 million
  9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), $197 million
  10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), $179 million

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